<p>what is the latest at which you can report your first choice school for national merit and still get merit aid for it? In other words, can I notify them after college decisions have come out in late March?</p>
<p>Sorry if the question sounds confusing but I am not 100% sure I'm going to Rice so i want to know the latest I can tell Rice that it is my first choice.</p>
<p>You have until 4/1 to declare or change your 1st choice.</p>
<p>do i notify the national merit corporation or rice itself?</p>
<p>National Merit.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php</a></p>
<p>thank you so much, maysixxmom :)</p>
<p>I believe you can change your designation until April 19th when offers are mailed by NMSC. This link to Rice NM policies was posted at another CC thread....hope it helps.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ruf.rice.edu/%7Efina/P&P/NMSP.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~fina/P&P/NMSP.pdf</a></p>
<p>Also, I spoke to someone at NMSC last week about deadlines. It's a bit confusing, but basically I was told this. If a NMF has already made a designation, they have until April 19th to change that designation to another school if the student desires. On April 19th, offers made on behalf of participating schools are mailed from NMSC. Once an offer has been mailed, no other offers will be made. It was suggested to me that the change of designation be made via fax prior to April 16th to allow NMSC time to process the change.</p>
<p>Now the confusing part. A NMF can change their designation to 'Undecided' prior to April 16th and remain undecided until May 31st. If a NMF does this, their school offer will not be made in the April 19th round, but will be made no later than early June.</p>
<p>Also, some schools (like UF) have an artificially early deadline for designation in order to qualify for their near full-ride scholarships. A NMF can designate one of these schools early to meet their requirement and then change it to another school or to undecided anytime before April 16th if they have a change of heart.</p>
<p>For those seriously considering only Rice, it is best to follow their advice at the above link.</p>